By C1 Staff
SPRINGFIELD — Nearly 5,000 prison workers’ paychecks may be affected in the coming weeks, as Illinois continues to grapple with deepening budget problems.
Records show that at least five of the state’s two dozen prisons do not appear to have enough to meet payroll through the end of the state’s fiscal year, according to the Pantagraph.
Those that will run short of cash are facilities in Vandalia, Taylorville, Mount Sterling, Sumner and Jacksonville.
The Department of Corrections has estimated the payroll shortfall to be over $70 million.
“The IDO needs just over $117 million dollars to maintain operations through the end of this fiscal year; $70.8 of that is for payroll,” said spokesperson Nicole Wilson.
Prison workers might start feeling the pinch in early May.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has acknowledged the prison system’s financial troubles, but needs legislative approval to transfer money between prisons to ensure workers get paid.